The Ariana Grande "Sweetener" Meme: A Deep Dive into Music, Memes, and TikTok Culture

In the fast-paced world of social media, memes have become a ubiquitous form of communication and entertainment. One such meme that took TikTok by storm in September 2022 was the Ariana Grande "Sweetener" meme, which involved users thrusting or humping to the beat of the popular song. But what is the story behind this viral sensation, and what does it reveal about the intersection of music and meme culture on TikTok? In this article, we‘ll explore the origins, popularity, and cultural significance of the "Sweetener" meme, as well as its connection to the equally intriguing "Cbat" meme.

The Rise of the "Sweetener" Meme

Ariana Grande‘s album "Sweetener," released in August 2018, was a commercial and critical success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and earning Grande a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. The title track, with its catchy lyrics and upbeat rhythm, quickly became a fan favorite.

Fast forward to September 2022, and "Sweetener" found new life as a viral meme on TikTok. Users began creating videos of themselves thrusting or humping to the song‘s chorus, particularly the lines:

Get it, get it, get it, get it
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it
Flip it, flip it, flip it

The trend quickly gained traction, with thousands of users participating and putting their own unique spins on the challenge.

The Popularity of the "Sweetener" Meme: By the Numbers

As the "Sweetener" meme took off, the numbers spoke for themselves. According to TikTok‘s own data, there were over 75,000 videos created using the "Sweetener by Ariana Grande" audio within the first week of the trend‘s emergence. Many of these videos went viral, with some garnering millions of views and likes.

Table 1: Key metrics for the "Sweetener" meme on TikTok (September 2022)

One of the most popular videos of the trend was uploaded by user @addicted2lay, which featured the caption "You‘re a girl, you don‘t even know how to handle allat." The video amassed over 2.1 million likes and 11 million views, cementing the "Sweetener" meme‘s place in TikTok history.

The Psychology Behind Meme Participation

But why do people participate in meme trends like "Sweetener"? According to Dr. Jessica Myrick, a media psychology expert and professor at Penn State University, memes offer a way for people to connect and express themselves creatively.

"Memes provide a shared cultural experience that people can participate in and riff off of," Myrick explains. "They allow individuals to showcase their humor, creativity, and identity within a larger social context."

In the case of the "Sweetener" meme, the act of thrusting or humping to music can also be seen as a form of self-expression and liberation. "Dance challenges like this one offer a playful, lighthearted way for people to engage with their sexuality and body without fear of judgment," says Dr. David Ley, a clinical psychologist and author of the book "The Myth of Sex Addiction."

The Cbat Connection: A Tale of Two Thrusting Memes

Interestingly, the "Sweetener" meme wasn‘t the only trend involving thrusting to music on TikTok in September 2022. Around the same time, the "Cbat Hudson Mohawke Reddit Meme" also gained popularity on the platform.

The "Cbat" meme originated from a Reddit post in which a user claimed to make love while listening to the song "Cbat" by Hudson Mohawke. TikTok users quickly latched onto the idea, creating videos of themselves thrusting to the rhythm of "Cbat," often mocking the original poster‘s unconventional music choice.

The two memes, "Sweetener" and "Cbat," became intertwined, with users drawing comparisons and creating mashups of the two songs. Some even speculated that the "Cbat" meme may have helped fuel the popularity of the "Sweetener" meme, as users discovered the latter while searching for the former.

The Musical Elements of Thrusting Memes

So what is it about songs like "Sweetener" and "Cbat" that make them so conducive to thrusting memes? According to music producer and YouTuber Alfo Media, it comes down to the beats per minute (BPM) and rhythm of the tracks.

"Both ‘Sweetener‘ and ‘Cbat‘ have a BPM of around 120-130, which is close to the average tempo of a lot of popular dance music," Alfo explains. "The steady, driving rhythm of these songs, combined with their suggestive lyrics, makes them perfect for thrusting or humping motions."

Additionally, the repetitive nature of the choruses in both songs creates a sort of "meme-able" moment that users can latch onto and replicate in their own videos. "The ‘get it, get it, get it‘ line in ‘Sweetener‘ and the distinctive synth riff in ‘Cbat‘ serve as instantly recognizable hooks that people can use as the foundation for their meme content," says Alfo.

The Future of Music and Memes on TikTok

As we move further into 2023 and beyond, it‘s clear that the intersection of music and memes on TikTok will continue to evolve and shape online culture. With the platform‘s emphasis on short-form video content and user creativity, we can expect to see even more viral trends and challenges that combine popular songs with user-generated content.

However, some experts warn that the pressure to participate in meme trends can have negative effects on mental health and self-esteem. "While memes can be a fun and creative way to express oneself, they can also contribute to feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out) and inadequacy," cautions Dr. Ley. "It‘s important for users to engage with meme culture in a way that feels authentic and enjoyable to them, rather than feeling pressured to conform to trends."

As for the future of the "Sweetener" and "Cbat" memes specifically, only time will tell how long they will remain relevant in the fast-paced world of TikTok. However, their impact on the platform and the broader cultural zeitgeist is undeniable.

Conclusion

The Ariana Grande "Sweetener" meme and its connection to the "Cbat" meme offer a fascinating case study in the intersection of music, memes, and social media culture. By examining the origins, popularity, and cultural significance of these trends, we can gain valuable insights into the way people express themselves and connect with others online.

As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital culture, it‘s important to approach meme trends with a critical eye, while also embracing the creativity and joy they can bring. Whether you‘re a die-hard Ariana Grande fan or just looking for a fun way to express yourself on TikTok, the "Sweetener" meme offers a unique opportunity to engage with music and culture in a playful, irreverent way.